The beauty industry is rooted in supporting and promoting wellness, and thanks to recent events, employee wellness reigns supreme. Investing in the well-being of staff members is both good for employee morale and a sound business decision.
In October 2023, we kicked off the SASSI Salon Stars: Mental Wellness Champions contest to celebrate salons, spas and beauty businesses going above and beyond to support employee wellness. Salons and spas across the country shared how they have stepped up efforts in support of team wellness. We received examples of how beauty businesses prioritize team wellness through employee advocate programs, free wellness events, access to mental health resources, support for those who need extra help, such as individuals with sensory issues and more. These submissions reinforced the renewed emphasis salon management is devoting to mental health and well-being across the industry.
While many submissions demonstrated an impressive commitment to staff well-being, SASSI tapped Crown Extension Studios as our 2024 Salon Star Wellness Champion.
To combat burnout and prioritize a healthy workplace, Crown Extension Studio Founder and CEO Jenna Bowden of Colorado closes her salon on Saturdays. The additional time off provides staff with a consistent 3.5-day weekend to better balance work and life. Additionally, the studio offers stylists access to therapy, medication and health services, and holds monthly one-on-one empowerment meetings in which personal coaching is available to support staff member goals and professional growth.
Bowden notes that Crown Extension Studio’s employee wellness program was designed to create a healthy working atmosphere focused on collaboration over competition.
The team at Crown Extension Studio has set a commendable example of what commitment to creating a healthy workplace for both clients and employees can look like in our industry. While not all employee wellness programs will mirror Crown Extension Studio’s, by simply getting started, salon and spa owners might find themselves inspired to nurture their own programs and grow them over time. Whether your business is just beginning its wellness journey or already has a program in place, the following tips may provide inspiration.
- Listen before you act: Employee wellness programs only work if they fit the needs of employees. Salon and spa owners can begin by asking employees what they want out of a wellness program and by encouraging an open and continuous conversation around continued enhancements. Employees should always feel they have a say. For example, one team could be interested in access to career development coaching while another team could be interested in group outings and social opportunities. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness, and it is important to keep an open mind and be creative.
- Be intentional: Regardless of the approach salon or spa management takes to wellness, it should serve a positive purpose. Salon and spa owners should define specific and measurable goals around which to build their wellness programs. For example, if staff has defined professional development as a wellness need, goals might include increasing awareness around community business events for networking or offering a specific number of professional coaching sessions through the business each month. Defining goals will also make building a wellness program from scratch more manageable.
- Evolve: A wellness program that succeeds today may not look the same a few years down the road. Salon and spa owners should be prepared to evolve the program over time and pivot when they realize a change needs to be made. Wellness programs should be reevaluated regularly, and new employees should be encouraged to weigh in on potential improvements. The key to a successful wellness program is collaboration.
A salon and spa owner who explores wellness in their businesses will not only be providing a supportive service for their employees, they will be providing a service that will indirectly boost their salon’s bottom line. This could be manifested in the talent they can attract, the culture they foster among their employees and in positive customer experiences. Set yourself up for the year ahead by taking some time to discuss employee wellness and program needs with your salon or spa team.
Kathy Lopez, Account Manager for SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance program at Brownyard Group. She can be reached at klopez@brownyard.com.
